Job Title: Head of Football Facilities, Planning & Governance

Department: Operations

Reporting: Operations Director

Location: BFC Training Ground

Salary: Competitive

Closing Date: 17th January 2025

Brentford FC is a bit different to other Premier League football clubs. We put our fans first, we are a true community club and while we are financially sustainable, we are not afraid to take calculated risks. We take huge pride in our environment and culture within the Club which focuses on development, inclusion and not being afraid to think differently.

Being progressive, humble and respectful while sticking together as one team across the Club guides how we work and the decisions we make each day.

We also firmly believe that a diverse workforce is a better workforce which will help us develop ideas, solve problems and ultimately grow Brentford FC.

We play in a brand-new stadium, 15 minutes from Heathrow in vibrant west London.

We will never forget where we have come from, but we are excited about the future that lies ahead.

Come join us.

Inclusion Statement

Brentford FC is an organisation which values and is passionate about diversity and inclusivity. Whilst our recruitment decisions are always based on merit and suitability, we welcome and encourage applications from qualified candidates, including those from underrepresented groups – such as those from ethnically diverse backgrounds, women, those from the LGBTQ+ community and those with disabilities.

Safeguarding Statement

Brentford FC is committed to equality, the safeguarding and welfare of all children and adults at risk. This responsibility is shared by all staff and volunteers at the club, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Staff will be required to undertake regular safeguarding training to enable and reinforce a proactive approach to safeguarding. This role requires the post holder to apply all relevant policies and uphold the club’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable people to ensure a safe environment for all. This includes the timely reporting of any safeguarding concern to the safeguarding team. We remind those barred from regulated activity that it is an offence to apply for such positions.

Please note that where appropriate for the role, you will be required to complete additional background checks such as Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and police checks for any time you have lived or worked outside of the UK in the last 10 years. You can find out more about this at https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record

Please also note that a CV application will not be sufficient. Applications will not be considered where the application form has not been completed in full.

If the role you are applying for involves regulated activity and you have been shortlisted for a first stage interview, you will be asked to fill out a Declaration of Offences Form.

The Role of the Head of Football Facilities Planning & Governance

We are seeking an experienced individual to join our team that will have the responsibility to oversee the development and management of Brentford FC’s existing football sites (training ground and Wheatsheaf Park) and also to plan and deliver future training sites to service the continued growth of the football club. The successful applicant will have the knowledge and experience to navigate the intricacies of planning processes, residents’ consultation and engagement, and other relevant internal and external stakeholder management in order to ensure good governance and project delivery, while also having oversight of operational effectiveness of our existing training ground and Academy stadium ensuring exceptional reliability and service at all the club’s football sites.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record in facilities management in a high-performance environment, and in delivering buildings and infrastructure, identifying areas for development and building good relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.

This role involves working to a football/events schedule which may include early mornings, late evenings and weekends as required.

Main Accountabilities

Oversee the facilities operations of the training ground and Wheatsheaf Park in collaboration with the Head of Training Ground Operations and Head of Operations & Facilities, ensuring that the sites are managed effectively and meet planning and S106 obligations
Ensure good day-to-day training ground operations by acting as the critical link between football and facilities operations of the sites.
Manage major planning projects at the Club’s existing and new sites to drive the growth of the football club.
Deliver strong local engagement and communications to enable the smooth delivery of planning and projects.
Manage relationships with Council Leaders, Councillors, Planning Officers, GLA, residential forums and consultants.
Review the Club’s training ground buildings and infrastructure, advising where risks any are and delivering a plan to maintain, improve and replace key facilities.

Co-ordinate various stakeholders involved in presenting, planning and budgeting for future infrastructure projects, managing the scope of works, risks, timelines and any other factors.
Schedule monthly project meetings for all parties involved in the planning, delivery and post-delivery of projects.
Co-ordinate with the relevant club stakeholders for when projects are planned to be scheduled (including inhouse service providers) and the impact that this may have on the end users.
Manage project plans with all sub-contractors and stakeholders to deliver projects, infrastructure builds and special works.
Submit a monthly progress report/update for the Operations Director and Performance Director with projects, recommendations and budget forecasting.
Input into the Club’s sustainability strategy to recommend and implement best practice.

Deputise for the Operations Director as required for training ground sites and assist the Operations team from a strategic planning and implementation viewpoint.

General Club Accountabilities

To ensure compliance with all relevant Club policies, including safeguarding, health and safety policies and with specific reference to the data regulations (GDPR and PECR)
To ensure compliance with the Club’s Code of Conduct.
To ensure compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory, ethical and social requirements
To build and maintain good working relationships both internally and externally, maintaining a professional image at all times when representing Brentford FC
To keep confidential any information gained regarding the Club and its personnel
To maintain a flexible approach to work at all times
To ensure compliance with all Matchday Safeguarding processes
To ensure compliance with the Club’s Safeguarding Policy and processes.
To promote and support positive mental health and wellbeing throughout the Club both on and off the field.
To actively embed equity, diversity and inclusion into the operations and strategy of your team, in line with our EDI strategy.

Key Internal Relationships

The main internal relationship is with the Operations, Technology, Catering, Football department & Fan & Community teams.

Person Specification - Essential Characteristics

Experience to advise and help shape the football infrastructure for the medium to long term.
Interpersonal skills to provide a serviced relationship between Football Operations, Operations, Catering, Security and Technology.
Proven, demonstrable experience as an expert in high performance facilities operations and developments
Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritise tasks, manage timelines, and meet deadlines.
Experience in managing teams and delivery of timeline events.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to identify areas of improvement and provide effective solutions.
Familiarity with Estate management legislation and best practices.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with various stakeholders and effectively convey technical information to non-technical audiences.

Accountability to plan, implement and deliver on the infrastructure, planning and governance at the BFC sites.
Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
IOSH qualified to adhere to health and safety regulations and protocols is desirable.